Posts in Big Hits & Dirty Play

Northampton Saints beat Bedford Blues 45-21 in a pre-season friendly on Friday night, but one of the moments of the match was when replacement lock Courtney Lawes made a massive, trademark hit on debutant Mike Le Bourgeois. MORE »

Big Ben Tamiefuna was prominent in the spine-tingling Chiefs Haka after their Super Rugby victory, but during the match he made his mark in a few other ways. The giant prop smashed a few backs, some perhaps illegally, and it was brutal to watch. MORE »

Blues flanker Kane Barrett was red carded against the Chiefs after appearing to have made contact with the head of lock Craig Clarke. Blues coach John Kirwan was incensed at the decision, but Barrett has since been cited for a separate incident. MORE »

Earlier in the week we showed a clip of Butch James being yellow carded for a high tackle against the Bulls, and mentioned that just before that he was involved in a scuffle. We've now got a clip of that, including the bit the TMO didn't see. MORE »

Sharks flyhalf Butch James has been suspended for four weeks for a dangerous tackle he made during the 20-19 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday night. The Bulls scored a try following the tackle, which ultimately gave them the win. MORE »

One of the biggest talking points of the Springboks vs Samoa game on Saturday was the indecent ball handling by James So'oialo. The Samoan fullback appeared to get to grips with the South African hooker, but he was later cleared of any wrongdoing. MORE »

Samoan winger Alesana Tuilagi has been suspended for two weeks for the dangerous high tackle that he made on Springbok Jean de Villiers in the final of the Quad Series in Pretoria on Saturday. The Springboks won the game 56-23. MORE »

The Wallabies appear to have dodged a bullet after captain James Horwill was cleared following an incident in the first Test loss to the British and Irish Lions on Saturday. He was cited after allegedly stamping Alun-Wyn Jones. MORE »

This brutal tackle comes from a recent New Zealand schools rugby game between Wanganui Collegiate and St. Pauls Collegiate. It's been doing the rounds so if you haven't seen it yet, get ready to squirm in your seat. MORE »

Three Tongan players have been suspended following a fractious Pacific Nations Cup match against Canada at the weekend. Canada won the game, but it has been marred by incident, and the Tongan coach has since claimed that officials appear racist. MORE »

It was one of those crazy rugby weekends as the Midyear Tours kicked into action and rugby fans were treated to Test rugby yet again. Over in the US the Eagles hosted Ireland in Houston, with this being one of the moments of the match. MORE »

Cian Healy has been cleared following a disciplinary hearing for an alleged bite on Force scrumhalf Brett Sheehan. It was a miserable night for Healy, as he had to be stretchered off after injuring his ankle. Below is a look at the incident, and the injury. MORE »

After being cited for his punch on Owen Farrell at the weekend, Schalk Brits was suspended for three weeks by an International Rugby Board disciplinary panel. Saracens teammate Farrell has played down the incident. Here is another look at it. MORE »

Rene Ranger appears to be unsure of what the future holds as he is reportedly trying to get out of the contract that was signed to join Montpellier in France later this year. He has been in great form, so could well be part of the All Blacks setup. MORE »

Dylan Hartley will not go on the British & Irish Lions to Australia after he was sent off during the Aviva Premiership Final for allegedly calling referee Wayne Barnes a 'f*cking cheat'. He has the right to appeal the 11 week ban handed out to him. MORE »

This is a quick clip of a must see (and hear!) tackle from the USA Rugby Playsoffs recently, in a game between New Orleans and PAC. The hit itself was so solid that the sound could be heard from the stands. Not bad considering that there was no referee microphone. MORE »

There was chaos in France last night as the Pro D2 playoff game between Pau and La Rochelle degenerated in what resembled a street fight in the last ten minutes. Three players were red carded within a few minutes, as Pau won 30-16. MORE »

Melbourne Rebels star James O'Connor was injured early on in the 36-32 loss to the Blues at Eden Park. It happened under a pile of bodies at a ruck, and while he tried to stay on the field, rampaging Rene Ranger picked him out, flattening the 22-year-old. MORE »